This year’s Windward Ho‘olaule‘a, called “A Homegrown Celebration,” will be on Saturday, October 6, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. under giant banyan trees on the Great Lawn of the Windward Community College campus. But make no mistake —this is much more than just a backyard jam.

Headliners this year include Grammy award-winner John Cruz and Na Hoku Hanohano winner Teresa Bright. Also in the entertainment line-up are Aaron Mahi, Martin Pahinui and George Kuo as well as Chinky Mahoe’s Hālau Hula O Kawaili’ulā, perennial favorites at the Merrie Monarch Festival on the Big Island.

The free, family-friendly festival now in its 12th year, co-sponsored by the college and the Kaneohe Business Group, is expected to draw over 15,000 people islandwide. It will feature top island entertainment, award-winning hula films, unique arts and crafts, ‘ono ethnic food, keiki rides and activities, art exhibits, a college-sponsored silent auction, and educational, cultural demonstrations and community displays.

Kaneohe Business Group members will be on hand to showcase their businesses at a Trade Show, and Windward Community College will have special activities celebrating 40 years of educating the community.

ENTERTAINMENT

Among the featured performers will be multiple Na Hōkū Hanohano award winner John Cruz as well as Windward-area hula halau, the Le Jardin Academy Jazz Band and the Kahalu‘u ‘Ukulele Band. The entertainment lineup throughout the day includes:

“The Ho‘olaule‘a has become one of the biggest community events on the Windward side, with something for the whole family,” said event chair and long-time KBG member Eddy Kemp. “We’re very grateful for the tremendous community support of this event. It’s a way to highlight the talent and businesses of the Windward side as well as the educational opportunities at WCC.”

Proceeds from the Ho‘olaule‘a will help fund scholarships for Windward CC students and other program support. Last year, 22 Windward Community College students received $1,000 each from event proceeds.

NEW LIBRARY OPEN HOUSE, FILM FEST AND TOURS

From 1 to 5 p.m., visitors can take self-guided tours of the new, three-story, 69,000-square-foot “green” library building, and stop in at The Hub coffee shop for a cup of coffee or cool frappe.

“Queenie: Spirit of a Dancer” featuring Queenie Ventura Dowsett (student of famed dancer ‘Iolani Luahine), and other hula films will be shown on the first floor of the new library from 1 to 5 p.m. in conjunction with the Hula Preservation Society exhibit celebrating “75 years of the Hawaiian Room at the Lexington Hotel” in New York City, where the best Hawaiian entertainers in the world performed. The Hawaiian Room was so successful it created a wave of South Seas bars and restaurants that swept the country after WWII.

WINDWARD CC CELEBRATES 40 YEARS AT HO‘OLAULE‘A

Among the Windward CC attractions celebrating 40 years of education on the Windward side will be Hawaiian Studies cultural demonstrations, free blood pressure readings by students in the Certified Nurse’s Aide program, a student ceramic sale and raku firing, gyotaku fish printing, face painting, math activities, jewelry making, an orchid sale and plant identification by the botany and bio-technology students, veterinary technology student activities for pet owners, and information about college and career planning. Windward CC is also planning a giveaway in celebration of the college’s 40th anniversary.

CULTURAL DEMONSTRATIONS

Cultural demonstrations will feature la‘au lapa‘au (Hawaiian medicinal herbs) and Hawaiian fiber arts with Windward CC instructors Krista Steinfeld and Lufi Luteru, as well as woodcarving with Jordan Souza and students from his Hawaiian woodcarving classes.

ART EXHIBITIONS

Also, Gallery ‘Iolani will feature a new exhibit, “Confluence 3,” an exhibition of outstanding student work from the fine art studio classes at Windward Community College, showing ceramics, color theory, design, drawing and painting, photography, printmaking, screen printing and sculpture.

Among the community groups, the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board will provide information on disaster preparedness, especially for the hurricane season, and Walgreens will offer flu shots at the event once again this year. Walgreens asks that those interested in getting a flu shot bring an insurance card.

The Ho‘olaule‘a also partners with the Five Rs 96744 project, which promotes positive character-building among K-12 students in the area. The 5Rs campaign emphasizes the importance of respect, responsibility, resourcefulness, relationships and resilience.